Logically, Coach Kataoka's question should have been directed at their Ace.

But whether it was Kataoka himself or the players of Seidou, all eyes, without a word of agreement, turned toward Zhou Hao.

To spare Yoshida's pride, Coach Kataoka hadn't used the words "true Ace." Yet everyone knew who he really meant.

The key to this game was Zhou Hao.

Could he suppress the Cosmic Team's fearsome batting lineup?

If not, Osaka Kiryu's bats would tear Seidou's defense apart.

Zhou Hao stood up calmly.

"This opponent is unlike any we've faced. Even my Spiral Ball might not be enough to suppress them."

His words shocked the room.

Was Zhou Hao… unsure?

If even their Ace doubted himself, wouldn't their morale crumble before the game had even begun?

But given who the opponent was—the Cosmic Team—his concern wasn't unreasonable.

Osaka Kiryu was the only S-ranked team. Their evaluation was absolute. No one doubted it.

Netizens might argue whether Seidou truly deserved an A-rank, citing their lack of national tournament experience. But not a soul questioned Osaka Kiryu's S-rank.

They had been strong for as long as anyone could remember. Their dominance was a fact.

Still, before unease could spread too far, Zhou Hao's tone shifted.

"But I believe I can hold them to within three runs. Because behind me… is the best defense in the nation. My most reliable seniors."

At those words, Seidou's players snapped upright.

"Don't worry—if I have to block it with my body, the ball isn't getting past me!"

"We agreed long ago, we won't let you take all the glory!"

"When it comes to defense, we have absolute confidence!"

The gloom that had hovered over the team evaporated. Fighting spirit flared in their eyes.

Back when their former Ace faltered, how had they endured against other powerhouses?

By relying on their ironclad defense.

Now that Zhou Hao was depending on them, how could they hold back?

Coach Kataoka's lips curled into the faintest smile. Zhou Hao hadn't disappointed him.

Strong on the mound, strong in leadership, strong in spirit—this boy had everything a captain should have. Even as a first-year, his presence in the team was undeniable.

It was only a pity. The Ace position could be awarded on merit. The captaincy, however, would have to wait until Zhou Hao was a third-year.

"Alright," Kataoka said, turning to the whiteboard, "let's go over our lineup."

"First batter, Matsumoto."

Coincidentally, Osaka Kiryu's director also shared that surname—Matsumoto Takahiro, one of the most respected coaching figures in high school baseball.

"Second batter, Zhou Hao."

Though Zhou Hao's batting skills were strong enough for a core slot, this position suited him perfectly.

Whether or not the leadoff batter reached base, Zhou Hao's keen observation would decode the pitcher's patterns. By the time he swung, he could all but guarantee a hit.

Behind him waited Yuki in the third slot and Azuma Kiyokuni as cleanup. Together, their firepower ranked among the best in the nation.

In the game against Ichidai Third, this combination had crushed the opposition's defense with ruthless efficiency. Kataoka had no intention of breaking them apart now.

This was the strongest arrangement.

Meanwhile, at Osaka Kiryu's hotel, preparations were already at a different level.

A full PowerPoint briefing had been prepared, profiling every Seidou player. On the projector screen glowed Zhou Hao's data.

The Cosmic Team's players whistled under their breath at his staggering stats.

"Honestly," one muttered, "he's the last opponent I'd want to face."

Director Matsumoto Takahiro, however, only smiled. He tapped the screen with his finger.

"This boy has a strange kind of magic. With him, Seidou advances without obstruction. Play into his rhythm, and you'll be dragged along helplessly."

The players shifted uneasily.

"But…" Matsumoto's smile widened. "This is also our best chance. Seidou is still growing. With Zhou Hao, they're only going to get stronger. If we let them gain Koshien experience, the next time we face them, they may be unstoppable."

The room fell silent. Hearts pounded.

"If we want to defeat them, it must be now. Do you have the confidence to seize this opportunity?"

The silence broke instantly.

"Coach, don't worry—we'll crush them!"

"We've prepared for this exact matchup!"

That afternoon, under a clear sky, with temperatures at thirty-one degrees and a steady five-level wind, the long-awaited game arrived.

The battle between Seidou High School and Osaka Kiryu was about to begin.

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